Page:Plays by Anton Tchekoff (1916).djvu/137

ACT III

. Heaven help me, do you mean to say that you understand yourself? [He drinks some water] Now go away; I am guilty a thousand times over; I shall answer for my sins before God; but nothing has given you the right to torture me daily as you do.

. Who has given you the right to insult my sense of honour? You have maddened and poisoned my soul. Before I came to this place I knew that stupid, crazy, deluded people existed, but I never imagined that any one could be so criminal as to turn his mind deliberately in the direction of wickedness. I loved and esteemed humanity then, but since I have known you

. I have heard all that before.

. You have, have you?

''He goes out, shrugging his shoulders. He sees, who comes in at this moment dressed for riding''.

. Now, however, I hope that we can understand one another!

. [Startled] Oh, Sasha, is that you?

. Yes, it is I. How are you? You didn’t expect me, did you? Why haven’t you been to see us?

. Sasha, this is really imprudent of you! Your coming will have a terrible effect on my wife!

. She won’t see me; I came in by the back entrance; I shall go in a minute. I am so anxious about you. Tell me, are you well? Why haven’t you been to see us for such a long time?

. My wife is offended already, and almost dying, and now you come here; Sasha, Sasha, this is thoughtless and unkind of you.

. How could I help coming? It is two weeks since you were at our house, and you have not answered my letters. I imagined you suffering dreadfully, or ill, or dead. I